The Nissan Path

Hello Everyone!

2 weeks ago, at the 36,000 oil change, I switched from 5w-30 dino oil to Mobil 1 0w-30 at the local Mobil 1 Lube Express.

After a week of my wife driving to work (less than 4 miles each day), chauffering the kids around, and me driving it to Atlantic City for the weekend (~200 miles round trip), my wife said that the dashboard lights came on (VDC, airbag, tire pressure, and O/D) and then later went away with the exception of a flashing airbag light, then a loud rattling sound that was coming from under the car and felt like she was dragging something.

I do have a NISMO CAI installed at 10k, Mobil 1 75w-140 in the rear diff and Mobil 1 75w-90 in the front diff, Dexron III in the transfer case all put in at 30k.

I drove it to work today (35 miles) and the rattling sound went away after hitting the highway. I only heard it faintly after accelerating from a stop light. Once I reached the parking deck, I opened the hood and pressed the gas pedal, i heard a tiny rattle but also maybe slight ticking coming from the engine.

Anyone else have this problem using after switching from dino to synthetic oil? Or do you think the quick lube guys screwed up something?

My wife took it back to them and they told her not to drive it because it wasn't safe, and it is a tranny problem.

Did you take a look under the car perhaps? Quicky Lube shops are notorious for screwing things up. I would get a second opinion.

not trying to be a smart alex...but how is your oil level? a quik lube placed changed the oil in my daughters Xterra, put the drain plug back in but forgot to tighten it...i could turn it by hand....so glad I checked it..it was a disaster about to happen

hope all turns out ok

The oil level is a bit past the 2nd notch on the dipstick.

forgot to ask also, have you checked the trans fluid?

seems odd that you had these problems right after a quick lube..I know most are probably good, but I have heard horror stories about some of them..guess you can say that about dealers as well.

I have owned new cars and changed to synthetic oil around that mileage range and never had a problem...on this Path, I just stuck with regular dino.

Definetly sounds more like a tranny problem. Although the ticking hints that it could be the engine.

A bad alternator or bad charging system may also make the gauges go crazy. Hopefully is just that.

So rattling when cold, but slowly goes away by the time the car warms up can be a tranny issue? Can someone explain? I would figure grinding, whining or hard shifting to be a tranny issue.

The path is shifting pretty smooth currently...

why would you go from 5w30 to ow30? Ow30 is normally for hybrid vehicles or engines made specifically for such a thin oil. you might cause some damage internally. remember you have a truck with a big motor.

These are a little noisy on startup but nothing major. I doubt a 0w oil will help in that regard...I would switch back to a 5w and see if it makes a difference. I wouldn't change recommended weights just because you're using a synthetic. As for the light-show....I dunno that sounds pretty weird. Unless someone left a box of marbles in the airbox or screwed something up IF they checked the air filter.

just a thought.....belt tensioner ?

JAHBLESSINGS wrote:why would you go from 5w30 to ow30? Ow30 is normally for hybrid vehicles or engines made specifically for such a thin oil. you might cause some damage internally. remember you have a truck with a big motor.

i would disagree. i've used 0 weight in my V8 & V12 (BMW low compression engines) which can use 10w-40 up to 20w-50 and it acutally helped with smoother startups, better cold & startup protection and a bit of fuel efficiency. As long as the oil pressure is kept up, it shouldn't be a problem.

dawgn86 wrote:just a thought.....belt tensioner ?

its a thought... i have the car at the mechanic (not stealer) at the moment and we'll see what he comes back with!

Hey Guys!

So the verdict is.....



A loose heatshield around the catalytic converter!

Thank you all for your input!

Yes, those clamps are notorious for rusting off. I replaced a bunch with stainless steel clamps, as I didn't want to rip off the heat shields.

Glad you found it, and that it was not something too serious.